Influence of Grafted Chain Length of a Phenolic Copolymer on Its Complex Formation with Poly(vinyl Pyrrolidone) and Poly(ethylene Oxide)

A phenolic copolymer has been grafted with oligomers of different chain lengths. Polymer-polymer complexation has been studied between graft copolymers and nonionic polymers, such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone) and poly(ethylene oxide), in an acetone-methanol mixture by several methods, e.g., viscosity, conductance, and apparent pH measurements. A distinct stepwise complexation between PVP and graft copolymers has been observed. The length of the side chain also seemed to influence interpolymer complex formation. Some of these observations have been interpreted with reference to the actual structure of the graft copolymers.     

Grafting on Some Phenolic Copolymer Chains

A phenolic copolymer has been prepared by copolymerization of p-chlorophenol, p-cresol, and formaldehyde in the presence of acid catalyst. The copolymer was partially and completely dehalogenated by a standard method. The dehalogenated copolymer chain had a random distribution of reactive positions which were originally occupied by Cl atoms. Some substituted monomers, oligomers of known structure and molecular weight, and basic polymer chains have been grafted at these reactive positions. The halogen percentage of the grafted copolymers could be calculated on the assumption that all the available reactive positions are attached to the respective units. Reasonably good agreement has been found between the calculated and observed amount of halogen percentage in the grafted copolymers.     

Synthesis and anion binding of 2-arylazo-meso-octamethylcalix[4]pyrroles

2-Arylazo-5,5,10,10,15,15,20,20-octamethylcalix[4]pyrroles (azo-OMCPs) have been synthesised by the reaction of calix[4]pyrrole with aryldiazonium chloride in 15–45% yields. The solution-state binding studies of the synthesised hosts were investigated by absorption spectroscopy and ¹H NMR in DMSO and CDCl₃, respectively. These receptors, appended with electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups, displayed enhanced affinity and selectivity for fluoride anion. Well-defined colour change in the visible region of the spectrum was observed upon addition of fluoride ion in DMSO solution of azo-OMCPs. Detailed NMR studies in CDCl₃ revealed that azo-OMCPs with nitro and chloro groups have higher binding affinity for fluoride ion.

     

Association reaction between SiH3 and H2O2: a computational study of the reaction mechanism and kinetics

The association reaction between silyl radical (SiH₃) and H₂O₂ has been studied in detail using high-level composite ab initio CBS-QB3 and G4MP2 methods. The global hybrid meta-GGA M06 and M06-2X density functionals in conjunction with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set have also been applied. To understand the kinetics, variational transition-state theory calculation is performed on the first association step, and successive unimolecular reactions are subjected to Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus calculations to predict the reaction rate constants and product branching ratios. The bimolecular rate constant for SiH₃–H₂O₂ association in the temperature range 250–600 K, k(T) = 6.89 × 10^?13 T ^?0.163exp(?0.22/RT) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 agrees well with the current literature. The OH production channel, which was experimentally found to be a minor one, is confirmed by the rate constants and branching ratios. Also, the correlation between our theoretical work and experimental literature is established. The production of SiO via secondary reactions is calculated to be one of the major reaction channels from highly stabilized adducts. The H-loss pathway, i.e., SiH₂(OH)₂ + H, is the major decomposition channel followed by secondary dissociation leading to SiO.     

Synthesis of (R)‐Japonilure and (4R,9Z)‐9‐Octadecen‐4‐olide,Pheromones of the Japanese Beetle and Currant Stem Girdler

Asymmetric total synthesis of the sex pheromones of Japanese beetle and currant stem girdler, (R)‐japonilure (1) and (4R,9Z)‐9‐octadecen‐4‐olide (2), has been achieved.     

Immunomagnetic nanoparticle based quantitative PCR for rapid detection of Salmonella

We have developed a rapid and sensitive method for immunomagnetic separation (IMS) of Salmonella along with their real time detection via PCR. Silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles were functionalized with carboxy groups to which anti-Salmonella antibody raised against heat-inactivated whole cells of Salmonella were covalently attached. The immuno-captured target cells were detected in beverages like milk and lemon juice by multiplex PCR and real time PCR with a detection limit of 10⁴ cfu.mL^?1 and 10³ cfu.mL^?1, respectively. We demonstrate that IMS can be used for selective concentration of target bacteria from beverages for subsequent use in PCR detection. PCR also enables differentiation of Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi A using a set of four specific primers. In addition, IMS—PCR can be used as a screening tool in the food and beverage industry for the detection of Salmonella within 3–4 h which compares favorably to the time of several days that is needed in case of conventional detection based on culture and biochemical methods.

Cyclisation of Ortho -Cyclohexenyl Phenols via Epoxidation #

A number of ortho -cyclohexenyl phenols 2(a–i) have been cyclised by treatment with one equivalent of m-chloroper-oxybenzoic acid in refluxing benzene for 4 h to furnish linearly fused 1-hydroxy-1,2,3,4,4a,9a-hexahydrodibenzofurans 3(a–i) (70–80%) and bicyclic 3-hydroxy-1,3-ethanochromans 4(a–f) (10–20%). Products 3(a–i) were oxidised with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (excess) in refluxing dry xylene for 6 h to give 2,3-dihydrodibenzofuran-1 (2H)-ones 6(a–i) (85–95%).

     

A Simple and Short Synthesis of Z-6-Heneicosen-11-One and Z-1,6-Heneicosen-11-One,The Sex Pheromones of Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth

Z-6-Heneicosen-11-one (1) and Z-1,6-Heneicosen-11-one (2) are the sex pheromones of the Douglas-Fir Tussock moth, ‘Orgyia Pseudo Sugata’, isolated^1,2 in 1975 and 1978 respectively. In contrast with other lepidopterous pheromones, which are unsaturated C₁₂-C₁₄ primary alcohols or acetates, these were found to be C₂₁ ketones. The Douglas-Fir Tussock moth is a severe defoliator of the Fir forest; consequently, considerable interest attends the synthesis of these two pheromones. A number of syntheses of these two pheromones have been reported3 amongst which is one of our synthesis using N,N-dimethyl acetone 4 hydrazone as key intermediate.     

A Mild and Efficient Route to 3-Vinylchromones in Aqueous Micellar Media

A simple, mild, and ecofriendly method has been developed for the synthesis of 3-vinylchromones from 4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxaldehyde (3-formylchromone) by simple Knoevenagel condensation with various active methylene compounds (AMC) in aqueous micellar media in the presence of catalytic amounts of cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO). In the case of malonic acid as AMC, the reaction resulted in formation of only Doebner decarboxylated products under the standard reaction condition. It has been also observed that 3-formylchromone derivatives primarily undergo tandem Knoevenagel and Michael reactions in the presence of > 2 equiv. of ethyl acetoacetate to produce benzophenone derivatives, by opening of pyran ring, as the sole product in good yields.     

Radioanalytical separation and size-dependent ion exchange property of micelle-directed titanium phosphate nanocomposites

Nanocomposite titanium-phosphate (TiP) of different sizes was synthesized using Triton X-100 (polyethylene glycol-p-isooctylphenyl ether) surfactant. The materials were characterized by FTIR and powdered X-ray diffraction (XRD). The structural and morphological details of the material were obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy. The SEM study was followed by energy dispersive spectroscopic analysis for elemental analysis of the sample. The important peaks of the XRD spectra were analyzed to determine the probable composition of the material. The average size distribution of the particles was determined by dynamic light scattering method. Ion exchange capacity was measured for different metal ions with sizes of the TiP nanocomposite and size-dependent ion exchange property of the material was investigated thoroughly. The nanomaterial of the smallest size of around 43 nm was employed to separate carrier-free ^137mBa from ¹³⁷Cs in column chromatographic technique using 1.0 M HNO₃ as eluting agent at pH 5.